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Show notes:

On today's show Bill and Andrew begin with an unexplained absence for Xi Jinping in Johannesburg before turning to the multi-faceted problems facing Beijing policymakers as the PRC economy continues to sputter. Topics include: Why a giant stimulus package remains unlikely, whether Xi is the right leader to manage a restructuring of the world's second-largest economy, the "takeover or collapse" false binary, and what to make of the disappearing youth unemployment data. From there: The Ministry of State Security proudly identifies two PRC nationals who were allegedly working with the CIA, while the Biden Administration successfully executes a Camp David summit with the South Korea and Japan. At the end: Beijing scuttles Intel's Tower Semiconductor plans, ARM has myriad risks in China, the Wall Street Journal goes deep on the Village Basketball League, and James Harden's wine helps stimulate consumer spending.

Related readings:

Xi skips BRICS Business Forum; Fukushima waste water; Philippines resupplies grounded ship; Arm IPO; Raimondo trip -- Sinocism

Xi to South Africa; Disappointing rate cut; Another CIA spy; Central Science and Technology Commission meets -- Sinocism 

Xi Skips Speech Defending China Economy at BRICS Business Forum -- Bloomberg

China’s Hidden Financial Dangers Erupt With Shadow Bank Crisis -- Bloomberg 

China’s 40-Year Boom Is Over. What Comes Next? -- Wall Street Journal 

Biden calls China a ‘ticking time bomb’ over economic problems -- NBC News 

China Suspends Report on Youth Unemployment, Which Was at a Record High -- N.Y. Times 

China’s ‘whack-a-mole’ economic playbook leads to confusion -- Financial Times 

How Will a Chinese Financial Crisis Impact the World? -- N.Y. Times

China unveils second CIA espionage case within 15 days -- Global Times 

U.S., China Try to Draw Nations to Their Side as Divisions Harden -- Wall St. Journal 

China Scuttles a $5.4 Billion Microchip Deal Led by U.S. Giant Intel -- N.Y. Times 

Arm Needed 3,500 Words to Explain Its China Risks Before IPO -- Bloomberg 

In Depth: How SoftBank Wrestled Back Control of Arm China -- Caixin 

Arm set to regain control of renegade China unit after near 2-year battle -- Financial Times 

Even Jimmy Butler Had to Witness the Hottest Village Basketball League in China -- WSJ

NBA’s James Harden stunned as Chinese fans buy 10,000 bottles of his wine in 10 seconds – after a ‘great move’ criticising Daryl Morey -- SCMP 

J-Harden Wines -- J-Hardenwines.com

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